Olympics table tennis: China beat South Korea to men's team gold

China completed a clean sweep of table tennis at the Olympics as their men's team took gold by beating South Korea 3-0 in the best-of-five contest.

Ma Long and Zhang Jike won their individual ties before the latter and Wang Hao earned victory in the doubles.

Analysis

"It has been a complete monopolisation of the top of the podium from China in the table tennis at the ExCeL Arena. Most people would have predicted that in advance but they have had to execute and every single member of the Chinese team has done that with breathtaking efficiency."

China have now taken gold in the men's and women's individual events as well as the men's and women's team events.

Germany, who won silver in Beijing four years ago, claimed bronze this time around after beating Hong Kong 3-1.

The men's team contest brought the curtain down on the table tennis at London 2012 and it only served to enhance China's stranglehold on the world game.

Ma was first up against South Korea's Ryu Seungmin and the Chinese player won his tie 3-1 to give his country control of the match.

Some of the most eye-catching play came in the next match between Zhang and Joo Saehyuk.

The defensive Saehyuk's ability to get the ball back from unlikely positions and Jike's attacking game made for an enthralling contest.